Body for plumbers&#39; trucks



Nov. 21, 1950 N. c. HOTOP BODY FOR PLUMBERS TRUCKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 11, 1948 Z 3nventor NOREERT C. HaToP (Ittorneg N. C. HOTOP BODY FOR PLUMBERS RUCKS Nov. 21, 1950 4 SheetsSheet 2 Filed May 11, 1948 Zhmentor NORBERT C. Hara Nov. 21, 1950 N. c. HOTOP BODY FOR PLUMBERS" TRUCKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 11. 1948 lllllllLllm ill 5 48 Snnentor A/ORBERT C. Horop (Ittorneg N. C. HOTOP BODY FOR PLUMBERS.

Nov. 21, 1950 Filed May 11, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3nventor NORBERT C. Ho rap Patented Nov. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT orncB Norbert C. Hotop, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Appl c on M y 1 8, S ri N 2 3 2 2 Claims. (01. 29624) This invention relates to the construction and arrangement of a truck body, and more particularly to a truck body designed for plumbers and other users of trucks wherein" tools and materials must necessarily be transported by the driver to the place where they are to be used and a Workbench must be provided at the place of'use,

Although heretofore many truck bodies have been designed to be both efficient and convenient to use for such purposeaeach of these designs has in practice failed to fulfill'the requirements of such a device. In designing such a truck body it is desirable to provide some means by which a worlebench or a working platform may be quickly and easily erected at the Work locus in order to facilitate the job. Such a workbench must be substantially unobstructed and at the same time large enough to provide an adequate Working area. Eg isting truck bodies designed for this purposehave failed to meet these requirements andhave been so arranged that the tools and materials, whenplaced on their working platforms, are so located that the resulting cramped conditions render them almost useless. My invention overcomes this difficulty by providing a large working platform extending a substantial distanee from the truck body to provide a large unobstructed and easily accessible working area. At the same time, despite its size, my bench de- $i n is erected or stored bya few simple operatibns- Since the type of work for which these trucks are dsigned involve operations which must be sn' outside the protection of a building, it is desirable that a means be provided whereby the tools materials may be easily and simply moved into thetruck body and protected therein when the jobis finished or in' the event of an emergency such as a storm. By the provision of a work platform of the size utilized in my design and construction, most of the materials and tools may remain onit at all times, except when actu: ally in use and, thus, are ready to be quickly rndv-edinto thetruck body by the same operation which stores the platform itself. This'arrangement saves an appreciable amount of time other-'- wise often wasted in collecting and storing tools and materials. When necessary my arrangement permits use of the tools on the workbench in inclement weather by protecting them with collapsible shelter which may be quickly and simply put up or taken down. The shelter is mounted on the truck body and, therefore, is always athand when required. i e d r-ana ram ia' ie t ending a w r 2 bench in the .form of a platform erected by a simple movement in and out of a truck'body, is

the fact that the work bench should always be the correct height, for this is an important factor to men doing careful work. In my invention" the height of the bench is determined at the time of installation of the platform and thereafter; al ia/ iemen ih s sgince in the particular use of a truck of this type, especially "those used plumbers, elecie ans and im la s rv ce a es a large nitv of diiiere t es f a ts, ma l n o s must be readily available at each job, it is neces ary to prov de. a m ximum of ava lame st r sna s within the t uc W hou a the same time ndu y restr ng the space availabl for th large and heavy items often required at each particular job. To accomplish this, the available space must be divided into units of a size and shape which will provide the maximum amount.

of storage. At the same time, since many small items are often involved, the available storage space must be divided into relatively small units to keep these items separated for easy accessibility. This I have accomplished by providing a number of compartments of assorted sizes and shapes along the sides and front of my truck body. The capacity of the truck to carry the larger items required on a particular job has been increased by a construction involving the provision of a structural roof'capable of supporting heavy Weights and accessible for loading' and rm"- loading. In addition, I have provided means for carrying elongated materials, such as pipes and rods, in a manne w e th y ma e ocked in o t on 'b im l amp available o l w e t om me s ha e bee o e d. Accordingly, it is a priinaryobject of my in- Yeetiqn to p o i e a truck body having a s tl ri g, l rge iz d. wo kbe h; It is a further object of my invention .to pro- S ide a self-storing Workbench which may be easily and simply erected or stored.

his a; still further object of my inventionto provide a tru k ody having a wor bench or l rge and unobstructed area.

It.is another object of my inventionto provide a truck body having a workbench which is or simplebut sturdy construction.

Still another object of my inventionis to DIO- vide a truck body having a maximum amount of storage space divided into compartments of various sizes and shapes. it is an additional object of my invention 3 provide a truck body in which elongated items may be stored by a simple clamping operation.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a truck body having an accessible structural top capable of withstanding heavy loads.

Another object of my invention is to provide a truck body having a neat and pleasing appearance.

Other objects and purposes of my invention will be immediately seen by those acquainted with the art of truck body construction upon reading the following specification and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an oblique view of my truck body as seen from its rearward left hand corner.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of my truck body showing the right hand side of the truck taken along the plane IIII of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of my truck body showing the rear doors in open position.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevational view of my truck body taken along the plane IV-IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of my truck body taken along the plane VV of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view of my truck body showing the work platform in extended operating position.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of my truck body showing the mounting for my work platform.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevational sectional view of the pipe compartment of my truck body taken along the plane VIII-V'III of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary oblique view of the joint structure of shelter support for my truck body.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary oblique view of the attachment arrangement for the shelter support to my truck body.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the shelter support for my truck body.

In carrying out the objects and purposes of my invention, I have provided a truck body equipped with a large, central, rearwardy opening chamber surrounded with a number of variously sized and shaped compartments and hav- F ing a self-storing Work platform mounted within the chamber and adapted to be moved in and out therefrom upon a series of friction reducing elements.

In the following description the terms forward and rearward will be freely used and are to be taken to mean in relation to the body as mounted upon a truck with the forward direction indicated by the arrow in Figure l. The terms interior and exterior will also be freely used and are to be taken as meaning toward the geometric center of the truck body and away therefrom respectively. Further, throughout the fol-- lowing description, the fastening together of most parts is referred to as by welding. It will be understood, of course, that such reference is for illustrative purposes only and that any suitable fastening means or mode may be employed without affecting the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, wherein one preferred embodiment is illustrated, the numeral I refers to a truck body having side panels 2 and 3, a front panel 4 and rear panels 5 and 6. The side panels 2 and 3 and the front panel 4 each have a horizontally atdt'is extending top flange l, 8 and 9 respectively. Downwardly extending skirts H], ll and [2 are provided at the inner edges of each of the top flanges l, 8 and 9 respectively (Figure 4). A top plate l3 seats between the skirts Ill, II and i2 and closes in the top of the truck body I. A plurality of parallel, rectangular skid bars [4 are welded to the upper surface of the top plate l3. The top plate i3 is welded to the skirts In, H and i2 and to a top frame 15 consisting of members which, in cross-section, are of inverted hat-shape and extend both laterally and longitudinally of the truck body (Figure 4).

At the rearward end of the top plate l3 and between each of the skid bars M a roller 92 is mounted so that the rod shaped material supporting member 93 thereof projects above both its own supports and the skid bars M. This material supporting member 93 is mounted for free rotation whenever an object is moved across it.

The bottom of the truck body consists of a welded structural frame It made up of G-shaped beams I! forming a, single, substantially rigid base for the entire body. To the upper surface of this structural frame It a sheet metal floor 18 is welded (Figure 4).

Spaced approximately one-fifth of the width of the truck body interiorly from each of the side panels 2 and 3, the vertical walls i9 and 20 extend between the floor E8 and the top frame I5 and are welded to both (Figures 4 and 5). Between is a chamber 2! enclosed on its sides by the walls is and 20, at its bottom by the floor H3, at its top by the top plate I3 and at its front end by the partition 22 which eX- tends between the walls and the top and floor and welded to each of them (Figure 5).

The rear of the chamber 2| is closed by a pair of doors 23 mounted by hinges on the rear panels 5 and 6. The doors 23 are equipped with handles H of any suitable type to facilitate operation. Braces [2 which are hat-shaped in crosssection are welded to the interior of the doors to provide strength and rigidity.

Surrounding the chamber 2| and separated therefrom by the walls l9 and 20 are a plurality of compartments 24 accessible through openings 25 in the side panels 2 and 3. The compartments 24 are of different sizes and shapes to accommodate different types of articles and to utilize efficiently the space available for this type of storage. The forward compartment 26 extends laterally the entire width of the truck body (Figures 2 and 5). Closure members 21 mounted by hinges to the side panels 2 and 3 close the openings 25 when the compartments are not in use. Each of the closure members 21 is equipped with a latch 28 operated by a key through the opening 29. By this arrangement all parts of the side panels 2 and 3 and the closure members 21 are flush with each other producing a surface having no projections to snag clothing as well as presenting a, neat appearance. The upper and lower compartments are divided by platforms 30 and 3| (Figure 4). Platform 38 is welded to the side panel 2 and wall I!) and platform 3| is welded to the side panel 3 and wall 25. A wheel well 55 is provided on each side of the truck body and is enclosed on its upper side by a wall member 55 (Figures 1 and 4).

A substantially square pipe compartment 32 is located on the left hand side of the body and is open at both ends, where it extends through the-rear:panel 5 (Figure 1-) This pipe compartment 32-is enclosedbyasquaretube 33 welded to the lower side of the --platform 38 (Figure 4). The compartment extends the entire length of the truck body I from the rear panel 5 to the front panel 4. ;At points spaced substantially one-third of the length of the pipe compartment from the rear panel 5 and front panel '4, the clamps-35 are-provided(Figures-land 8). These clamps each consist of agrippingmember :36 and ahandle 3! connectedby avertical threaded-element 3B rigidly attached to the handle 3! but rotatably mounted to the gripping member 36. The handle 36 and the upper portion of the threaded element 38 of-eaoh clamp are each in one of the side compartments 2 3, located directly above the pipe compartment 32. Where the threaded element 38 passes through the-platform a-reinforcing plate 39 is provided rigidly -at tached-to the platform. A fitting 58 having an internally threaded opening seats upon the reinforcing plate and is likewise rigidly attached to the platform. The threaded element 38 passing through the fitting 40 engages the internal threading thereof. The gripping member 36 is shown equipped with-teeth ll, how-ever, such designis optional since omission of the teeth will not materially affect the .operation of the clamps35.

Inside thechamber 2! a shelf 42 extends rearwardly from the partition 22 substantially fourfifths the length of-the chamber (Figures 3, 4 and 5). This shelf extends the entire distance between the walls I}? and 2 l spaced upwardly from the floor 18 approximately one-half the height of the chamber 2|. It'is supported at its periphery by'angle elements 43 welded to the walls [9 and 25 and the partition 2'2. At the rearward end of each of the angle elements 43 a stop plate 74 is provided seated within the angle elements and positioned substantially at a right angle to the walls I 9 and 20. These stop plates 14 prevent theshelf 42 from sliding rearwardly off the angle elements 43. The shelf is made from heavy ply-- wood or any other suitable material having the same deflection resisting characteristics. Above the shelf an article rack 45 consisting of vertical bars 46 and horizontal bars 41 to form an open grille container, is attached to the top plate I 3 and the wall l9.

Below the shelf 42 and spaced vertically away therefrom-a substantial distance is a work plat- -form=48 having approximately the same length and-width as the chamber 2| and made from one inch thick plywood or material having substan- 5 tially the same characteristics. A cutout 49 is located in the center of the forward end of the work platform to permit mounting of a spare tire against the partition 22. The rearward end 50-of the work platform is provided with a metal edging member 5! fastened to the work platform by screws 52. Spaced inwardly from each edge of the workplatform are hand openings 53 each formed by a semi-circular hole through the platform and closed at their rearward ends by the edging member 5| (Figure 5). Spaced a short distance forward of the edging member 5! and adjacent each of the sides of the platform, a circular opening54 extends through the platform.

fIhe-purpose of these openings will appear more fully hereinafter.

Thework platform 43 is supportedon the floor {8 by means of two groups of casters (Fignres 4 and-7 One group 5 9 of casters 58 is attached *to thelower surfaceofthe-work platform 48 adja- 6 cent its forwardend and will movewith the platform asit isextended from, or retracted .into,;the truck body. The group 51 of casters :58 :is at; tached-to the floor 18 adjaoentthe rearwardend of the chamber 2|. The casters 58 :in each .of first .group 59 are -laterall-y offset from those in the second group 51. Thee-asters composing'the second group remain stationary relative to .the, truck body and the platform :48 passes over them.

An L-shaped stabilizing member 560 having a Vertical and a horizontal leg :is located .on .each side of the work platform 48 .(Figures 4 .and 25:). The vertical legof oneof thestabilizingzmembers is welded to the wall I e andof .the other to the wall 29 .in such :a position that the horizontal leg of each is sufficiently spaced above the upper surfaceof the working platform L48 to provide. for a running clearance between them. Near .the rearward end of each of the stabilizing members Ell a small hole t l is provided together with a similarly sized hole inlthe platform which .vertie callyaligns with the-hole :6 I when the platform :15 instored position-as shown inFigu-re 5. Alockeing pin6-2 passes througheachof these openings to prevent movement of the platformllt relative to the stabilizing membersfill; To eliminate :the possibility ofloss, each of the pins are pref.- erably-attached to the truckbodyzby a.cha=inrfi3 (Figure 3).

The supporting postsfifl each consist of a tubular shaftGErigidlyattachedto a disc-shaped base plate 66 and have -a threaded upper end 61. bearing plate 68, havingan internally threaded opening, engages the threaded end 61 of the shaft 65-. The length of -the tubular shaft -.-is such that it-will extend between the platform and'the surface upon which the truck is standing with sufficient additional length to permit limited adjustment of the distance between :the base plate EB and the bearing plate 58.

A shelter '15 protects the platform when such protection is necessary. The shelter consists of an awning l6 normally stored in a rolled -up condition on a spring loaded rod within theqawning case -1 I. The awning case 7-1 is welded or :bolted to the rear panel of the truck body. The operating structureby which the awning-is stored is not described in detail since itmay be accomplished in any number 0f well known ways. One satisfactory construction for accomplishing this is that utilized in' the conventional household window shade. A lip 78 extends rearwardly from the top of the awning case .lfl to protect the awning from rain while in storage. A rod shaped stiffener--79 is attached to the endof the awning 1 6. The awning l6 issupported by a collapsible stand 80 consisting of "a pair of legs -8l each pivotally attached at its upper end to a ridge member-82. At the ends where the ridge merribers 82 and the legs M are attachedeach is provided with a substantially disc-shaped portion 83 having a pivot pin 84 extending through the center of the-portions83 of boththe legs and-the ridge members. A stud 8 5' extends upwardly; and rearwardly'from the portion83 of-the ridge nem bersSZ immediately above the pivot pine l. guitably'reinforced openings thru the awning 'lfipermit the stud 85 to passthrough the awning and engage the stiffener 19 when the awningis in extended position. The forward pull exerted on the awning 16 by the spring loadedrod in the awning case ll holds the stiffener tightly against the stud 85 and'keeps the awning itself straight.

:Ea h o thc es an 'r deem m e semb are maintained in properly spaceg position-'by-the stretcher bar 86 which detachably engages each of the ridge members 82 adjacent the disc portion 83 by means of the hook-shaped grip 81. Each of the ridge members 82 is detachably anchored to the truck body by means of an angle 88 integral with the ridge member, engaging the opening 89 in the anchor plate 90. The anchor plate 90 is welded to the awning case 11. The base of each of the legs 8| is equipped with a disc-shaped support 9!.

The width of the awning I6 is such that it extends laterally beyond each side of the work platform 46 a substantial distance. The awning case 11 extends across the entire flat portion of the back panel of the track and the awning is substantially the same width. The awning is of sufficient length to extend rearwardly beyond-the end of the work platform 48 when the latter is in its most extended position.

A dome light 69 is attached to the top frame l within the chamber 2| to provide a convenient source of light when needed. The closed loops l0 welded to the top flanges 1 and 8 are suitable for anchoring securing ropes when articles are transported on the top of the truck body.

All of the parts composing the truck bod except the work platform 48 and the shelf 42 are preferably formed from a metal suitable for welding, such as steel. The work platform 48 and the shelf 42 are made from plywood to obtain rigidity and to provide a surface which will not injure tools which may be dropped upon them.

Assembly The various panels and beams making up the exterior surface and walls of the compartments and chamber are all, in the embodiment here chosen to illustrate the invention, assembled by welding to form a single rigid body. Onto this body, the rear doors 23 and the closure members 21 for the side compartment 24, with one leg of their respective hinges already welded to them, are assembled by welding the remaining leg of the hinges to the panels of the truck body. The work platform is then installed merely by aligning it between the walls l9 and of the chamber 2| and beneath the stabilizing members 60 and pushing it forwardly into the chamber.

The clamps 3-5 are assembled by turning the threaded element 38 through the fitting 40 and then welding the clamping member to the lower end of the threaded element.

Operation The work platform 48 is normally positioned entirely within the chamber 2| and held against motion relative to the truck body by insertion of the pins 62 in the holes 6! (Figures 3 and 5). In this position, the platform is: conveniently stored within the chamber 2| and the doors 23 may be shut to enclose entirely the chamber 2|. When the platform is to be used as a work bench, the doors 23 are opened and the platform is gripped by means of the hand openings 53 and pulled rearwardly until it projects a desired distance, usually more than two-thirds of its length, beyond the rear of the truck body. The supporting post is then placed, with its base plate 66 down, upon the surface on which the truck is resting and the upper end of the tubular shaft 65 is passed upwardly through the circular opening 54 in the work platform. The bearing plate Pill 6B is then rotated to cause it to move up or down according to the distance between the platform and the surface upon which the truck is resting to provide an adjustment for variations in this distance. With the supporting post in place, the platform is provided with direct vertical support on both of its ends, thus, assuring a firm and level workbench. When the platform is again stored, the supporting post 64 is detached from the platform 48, and is conveniently stored within the chamber 2| by the spring clamps 13 which are welded to the wall 20 of the chamber. Such tools as a vise or a pipe clamp may be permanently mounted on the work platform to be stored or readied for use simultaneously with the operation of the platform itself. The provision of the dome light 69 assures a lighted working area at night when an occasion for such occurs.

, When long and slender articles, such aspipes, are to be carried by the truck, the clamps 35 are opened and the articles are passed into the pipe compartment 32 through its open end from the rear of the truck body. The clamps 35 are then turned until the clamping member 36 firmly engages the articles preventing any further movement of them. Since the clamps can only be opened by means of the handles 31, the closing of the closure member 27 for the side compartments 24 in which these handles are located automatically prevents the clamps from being loosened. Therefore, the materials may be left over night on the truck without fear of loss since the act of closing the compartments prevents access to the clamps by which the articles are firmly held within the pipe compartment 32. Beyond this, the arrangement of thus entirely enclosing the clamps 35 provides a simple method of hiding them where they will not be detrimental to the exterior appearance of the truck body.

The closed loops 70 provide a neat and convenient anchor means when articles are carried on top of the truck body and have to be lashed down by ropes to prevent shifting. The rollers 92 facilitate the loading and unloading of the top of the truck by holding articles being loaded thereon away from the skid bars I4 and easing their movement by substituting a free roller for the sharp rear edge of the truck body. At the same time, the skid bars I4 reduce the surface friction when such articles are in place on the top of the truck body but provide sufficient friction to substantially keep them in place while in transit.

By providing a central chamber surrounded by a number of compartments of various sizes and shapes, the truck body is adapted to transport many types of small articles. Since each of the compartments is provided with a closure member, the truck body may be easily closed with all of the tools and materials secured within it against exposure to weather and theft. The work platform 48 being large enough to accommodate the tools and materials normally used at a particular operation, provides an easy method of storing all of the articles on it by the simple operation of sliding the work platform into the compartment and closing the doors 23. Much of the time lost in securing tools and in storing them again is thereby eliminated.

By this arrangement and construction there is provided a convenient truck body, especially adapted to utilize the entire interior capacity of the body and to provide a workbench wherever the truck may be. Although the drawings and description of my truck body herein given apply to one particular preferred embodiment, it is not my intention, implied or otherwise, to eliminate other variations or modifications which do not specifically stated to the contrary in the hereinafter appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a truck body adapted to provide a portable workbench, the combination comprising: means providing a central chamber having a floor, a closed forward end and an open rearward end; a first plurality of upwardlyextending rotatable members mounted on said floor adjacent said rearward end of said chamber and equally spaced laterally of said chamber; a platform having a forward end and a rearward end removably received within said chamber and supported by said first plurality of rotatable members; a second plurality of downwardly extending rotatable members mounted on the forward end of said platform and rotatably engaging said floor, said rotatable members spaced to pass between said first plurality of rotatable members as said platform is moved longitudinally of said truck; rigid guide strips within said chamber slidably engaging the upper surface of said platform; said platform adapted in one position to be entirely received into said chamber and in another position to have its rearward end extend a substantial portion of said platform's length from said chamber; a detachable post of adjustable length associated with the rearward end of said platform when said platform is in extended position; detachable means for preventing extension of said platform when said platform is fully received into said chamber.

2. A body for a plumbers truck, comprising in combination: means defining a generally rectangular central compartment having a forward wall, side walls, a top and a floor; means providing aplurality of side compartments on the outside of both of said side walls which compartments may be independently opened and closed; means providing a further compartment extendi across e e tire Width of both the c n 10 compartment and the side compartments at the forward end of said central compartment and having doors at the sides thereof for opening and closing same and thereby providing a substantially U-shaped compartmented zone on the outside of said central compartment at its sides and forward end; a table of substantially the width of the central compartment slidably supported adjacent the floor thereof for movement partially out therefrom, and detachable means for supporting it in substantially level position when so moved partially out of said compartment; a canopy containing housing extending the full width of said truck bc-dy and thereby extending beyond said table on each side thereof a distance substantially equal to the horizontal dimen ion of said side compartments; a canopy in said housing and extensible therefrom a distance suflicient to cover at least a substantial portion of said table when in an extended position and extending sidewardly beyond both sides of said table; demountable means temporarily holding said canopy in extended position over said table; whereby a wide variety of articles may be carried within and by said truck and there is provided convenient work-space alongside said truck which space may be sheltered from the weather.

NORBERT C. HOTOP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Num" er Name Date 1,289,801 Jones Dec. 31, 1918 1,756,629 Campbell Apr. 29, 1930 1,886,782 Bentz Nov. 8, 1932 1,944 439 Larsen Jan. 23, 1934 2,159,022 Hawkins May 23, 1939 2,329,419 Reed Sept. 14, 1943 

